-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On August 24 , a jury of nine in a California federal court handed down a ruling that sent shockwaves through the global wireless phone industry . Samsung , the world 's largest phone maker , was found guilty of infringing on key Apple hardware design and software elements . Samsung got Apple 's attention because of its size , but every Android device manufacturer now needs to consider potential exposure areas that could put them in the crosshairs as Apple tries to slow Android growth .

The appeals game will surely play out over the next many months . In the meantime , consumers will feel the pain as devices potentially get more expensive and software changes begin to creep into their Android smartphones . If appeals rulings uphold the initial verdict , the mobile ecosystem as we know it will look very different in one to two years . This would be driven by fundamental changes in the look and feel of non-Apple phone hardware , changes to the Android mobile operating system and potentially the emergence of a third popular mobile operating system .

Smartphone market changes coming

Android phones account for 56 % of the U.S. smartphone market . Friday 's ruling was very sobering for the Android device manufacturers that have driven this growth . Until recently , smartphone design patent ownership seemed like a gray area . The court has now made it clear that , in fact , it is very black and white . All phone manufacturers will need to be a lot more careful from here on out when it comes to design , and patents they want to avoid , license or partner on . This could result in phones being more expensive for consumers .

Over the next year , consumers lose in this equation . Android phone makers will be scrambling to develop temporary workarounds to steer clear of any potentially infringing Apple patents . The time spent working on these fixes will reduce time spent on development of new , innovative features . In the case of Samsung , it is likely the only device manufacturer with the resources and scale to develop and implement fixes rapidly , mitigating the immediate impact on consumers . If there are other phone makers in Apple 's sights , they will be taking advantage of a much-needed head start to begin developing workarounds now to avoid a lawsuit .

Sure , Android consumers could always turn to Apple , but some are turned off by the company 's one phone per year release schedule and continued hesitancy to incorporate the latest mobile advances such as 4G and larger screens . Consumers who want to stay in the open and highly-customizable Android ecosystem could experience some temporary frustration .

Creating the next iconic device

This ruling could prove to be the catalyst for major industry change . Smartphone product roadmaps are all but decided for the next year . Beyond that , every device manufacturer will be thinking outside of the `` rectangular slab form-factor '' box in an attempt to create the next big consumer trend . This will be easier said than done given that consumers have become accustomed to the current crop of devices . Device manufacturers know that consumers ca n't tell them what they want , they can only tell them what they do n't want . This will result in phone makers traveling into unchartered territory in the hopes of capturing consumer attention and emotion .

Choice will likely also come in the way of new mobile operating system platforms . It is no coincidence that Microsoft and Nokia 's stock opened higher the day after the ruling . Apple stated during the trial that these companies have proven that it is possible to innovate in the smartphone market without copying Apple . Of course , Apple does have patent and design agreements with Microsoft and both companies have a mutual interest in slowing Android growth . As wireless carriers and device manufacturers seek to diversify their product lineup in the wake of the ruling , Microsoft might finally have its day in mobile . It is very likely that we 'll eventually see a three horse mobile operating system race among Apple , Android and Microsoft .

Short term is not pretty , but long term looks good

The short-term might not be pretty , but long-term , the industry is poised to break free from the homogenous rounded rectangular slabs with grid-based apps we 're all familiar with today . This ruling will encourage accelerated innovation from device manufacturers , which will move beyond the constraints of a single form factor . Ultimately , the consumer will choose what designs will win and which implementation of hardware and software integration is most elegant . Today 's constraints will define how the industry will innovate tomorrow . It might be a tough road , but there are promising days ahead .

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jefferson Wang .

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In the short term , the California verdict could raise smartphone prices and development time

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Android phone makers will scramble to steer clear of potential patent infringements

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Manufacturers will be thinking outside of the `` rectangular slab form-factor '' box

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As manufacturers diversify , Microsoft might finally have its day in the mobile sun